tshirt quilt scraps
 

Ok I am working on a tshirt quilt and I have the backs of the shirts left. I am wondering if I could interface them and use them as the quilt binding.

Has anyone done that? It would be a scrappy binding but it would match all of the shirts

Any thoughts?

Can't answer your question about using tshirt scraps for binding but how about using them in blocks on the back of the quilt if they are large enough? Now that I'm re-reading your post I'm assuming that the backs are blank with no logos on them. Well, maybe interfaced binding would work.

I would be concerned that using interfaced t-shirt material would be too thick and hard to work with for binding or be too much seam bulk if used as part of the backing. i have given leftover t-shirt and other fabric scraps to the animal shelter-they use it as filler for beds for the animals.

I've made "yarn" out of leftover tshirts and used it in knitting or crocheting hotpads. I love using the leftovers for cleaning windows, too. Not sure I'd use them for binding as it might be too stretchy.

I agree to bulky esp when you get to corners. I wouldn't use them. Also using for backing might make the quilt a bit heavy between more interfacing and then batting...

I used t-shirt knit to bind a quilt - I cut it on the "cross-grain" and treated it like bias binding.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts

bearisgray - I did think of buying some tshirt material - - but I think if I am going to purchase fabric I would purchase cotton. I was hoping to be frugal :) :)

A group near me uses T-shirts to make diapers for the missions. I haven't found out if they will accept parts of T-shirts. I want to know because I have a pile of those left over parts, too.

We use them as household rags for cleaning. They are awesome for that.

When I was in a quilting group at church back in Oklahoma, we made diapers to send to missionaries in Africa. I don't remember all the steps now, but a rectangle was cut from the back of the T-shirt, folded in thirds, then a closure was attached. That was over 10 years ago and my memory isn't that long anymore. There might be instructions if you google diapers.

My own experience with t shirt quilts as a top or the back does not work well to use as a binding. You need something that will help to hold the quilt in place.

I'd suggest using a cotton for the binding. It helps to keep everything in place.

Makes great dust rags.

I would think you could use that for binding but I would cut it the length of the back instead of crosswise. Crosswise seems to have more stretch. I wouldn't interface it as that would add bulk that could make it difficult. Using woven fabric would be more stable but, since you are hoping to be frugal, using the backs of the shirts would be worth a try.

I have used leftover t-shirt scraps and sewn to base for new puppy pads. Work well. Wash well.
I never have big pieces left because I use backs as sashing for the actual fronts.
I have also usd some larger pieces to make pillow case for quilt or smaller pillows to match the quilt

At one time, we could buy t-shirt knits at the Munsingwear Remnant Room that was in Minneapolis - long closed now. I had a pretty good stash of knits, too.